Shaler County Court

Shaler County Court cases in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA

Allegheny County Magisterial District Court in Pittsburgh is a Pennsylvania magisterial district (limited-jurisdiction) trial court within the Unified Judicial System. It is the community's first-level court, handling summary criminal offenses and traffic citations, municipal code violations, landlord‑tenant matters (including evictions), and small civil claims. In criminal cases, it issues search and arrest warrants, conducts preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings for misdemeanors and felonies, and sets and accepts bail as authorized by law. It also processes non‑traffic citations and certain minor criminal complaints. Appeals from its decisions are taken to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Shaler County Court Contact and Location Information

Services and Case Types Handled in Shaler County Court

Allegheny County Magisterial District Courts serve as Pennsylvania's community-level courts for minor civil and criminal matters. They:
- Accept filings for traffic and non-traffic summary offenses, municipal code/ordinance violations, landlord-tenant complaints (possession and rent), and civil/small claims up to $12,000; process private criminal complaints.
- Issue search and arrest warrants; conduct preliminary arraignments, set/modify bail, and hold preliminary hearings for misdemeanor and felony cases.
- Hold non-jury hearings and trials for summary offenses, civil claims, and landlord-tenant disputes; accept guilty pleas in summary cases.
- Provide emergency protective relief: issue after-hours temporary Protection From Abuse and Sexual Violence/Intimidation orders; final orders are handled by the Court of Common Pleas.
- Manage payments of fines, costs, and restitution; handle continuances, subpoenas, and failure-to-appear matters.
Jury services are not provided by Magisterial District Courts; juries are managed by the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.